Milton Keynes, United Kingdom (PressExposure) July 18, 2010 -- Therapeutic horseback riding ranches are as close to families' hearts just as children are with their own plush rocking horse . But unlike rocking horses, the animate nature of horses helps children with cognitive, emotional, physical, and academic disabilities. In Marion, their county's Family Court even offers options to provide a therapy program subscription at The Equine Component - a therapeutic horseback riding ranch that helps families with communication and relationship issues.
Jessica Cuffman of The Marion Star identifies Kirsten Stumpo to have primed or instigated the program five years ago. Since then, she worked with colleague mental health therapist Tessa Swavel, to go through hour-long therapy sessions. Swavel, back then, used to work with teenage girls who were part of the Voices Programs in addressing their problems such as healthy relationships, alcohol and drug abuse, and other sensitive issues.
In assurance of its credibility, the Equine assures that Stumpo and Swavel are both certified by the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association, and that they are mental health therapists. Cuffman briefly explains the division of their tasks in saying "Swavel facilitates the mental health and safety components, and Stumpo takes care of the physical elements."
Planning to extend their programs to boys, Stumpo says "It really opens the door to just do anything." Stumpo likens horses to humans with the statement "Horses are a lot like people and are definitely a lot like kids," and believes that it is this connection between them and humans that make their horseback riding ranch therapeutic. "Sometimes, just having this space [The Equine Component] here is key to developing meaningful relationships," Swavel says.
The 10 horses of the ranch are owned by Susan Goldstein and are retired standard-bred horses that were used to race. Stumpo explains that this makes them perfect for the program, since they have an extensive experience with different people, moving flags, and other distractions.
For more information on rocking horses, visit www.aplushrockinghorse.com